For immediate release
Say Hello To The Nation's Leading Wireless Communications Retailer: WIRELESS ZONE --
THE STORE FOR THE WIRELESS WORLD WETHERSFIELD, Conn. - In 1988 cellular phones were little more than expensive toys for business executives and technology geeks. At the time no one dreamed that a stand-alone cellular retail store could succeed.
A young Connecticut entrepreneur thought differently.
Russell Weldon opened a business he called The Car Phone Store in 1988 with the idea that wireless technology would soon go main stream. Within a couple years carrier rates began dropping and phones got smaller and cheaper. Customers caught the fever and by the mid-90s millions of Americans owned cell phones.
Weldon's single store evolved into a franchise that now numbers 120 stores throughout the Northeast and Mid Atlantic regions. Most are locally owned. Now known as Wireless Zone, the company expects to top $60 million in retail sales in 2000.
Weldon attributes his company's success to two critical factors: a excellent business plan emphasizing local ownership, and really good timing. "We got into wireless retailing at the perfect time," said the 43-year-old Weldon. "As the technology improved and air time got cheaper, people rushed into the market. We're still growing and the future looks very promising."
While the industry has grown rapidly over the past decade, some experts think wireless communications is still in its infancy. The wireless internet has enormous potential and may change the way we conduct routine business transactions. That's great news for Wireless Zone franchises.
"Everyone in the industry is excited about the potential of the wireless internet and wireless commerce. We think it's the number one growth industry for this decade," said Weldon. In addition to great timing, Weldon says local ownership is a key element in the company's success. Many of the 80-plus franchise owners are young entrepreneurs who bought Wireless Zone stores because they were eager to run their own business.
"I learned through my own retail experience that owning a business in an incredible incentive to succeed," Weldon explained. "We want to help people own their own business then give them the tools necessary to be successful. This is essentially our business plan and we've proven that it works dozens of times."
All but two Wireless Zone stores are locally owned. Many current franchisees are formerly Wireless Zone employees who caught the entrepreneurial spirit and opened their own store. Some now own multiple locations.
"Wireless Zone has a business formula that works," said Scott Gladstone, a franchisee with four stores. "If you follow their plan your store will be successful, and they do everything they can to help you run your business correctly."
Wireless Zone franchisees receive technical and retail sales training, advertising and merchandising support, and accounting help.
Store owners also are encouraged to attend regular company meetings where new ideas and problems are discussed. They also benefit from group buying power. The chain is the country's largest agent for Verizon wireless service.
"The company can negotiate better rates than we could get individually," said Gladstone. "They've created a nice partnership with Verizon that benefits both companies."
Wireless Zone's robust growth has been steady for about 10 years now. In fact, the pace continues to quicken as the company moves into new markets.
"There is plenty of room for growth in every market," said Weldon. "Personal communication is the hottest thing going. We're becoming a wireless world."
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Contact: Dan Zimmerman (860-258-4970)
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